Accused murderer sues NBC for creating 'racial powderkeg'

It's been one of the most controversial police cases in America this year: the neighbourhood watch volunteer accused of murdering 17-year-old black youth Trayvon Martin.

And while he continues to await trial for murder, that hasn't stopped George Zimmerman from suing NBC for what he claims was unethical reporting of the night of the shooting, accusing them of making him out to sound like "racist and predatory villain" for the sake of ratings.

A memorial to Trayvon Martin stands outside The Retreat at Twin Lakes community where Trayvon was shot and killed. Photo: Getty Images

The case has inflamed heated racial tensions in the US, after police initially chose not to pursue charges against Zimmerman.

Now attention has turned to media coverage of the event.

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"NBC News saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about to create the myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain," Zimmerman said in the complaint, filed Thursday in Seminole County, near Orlando.

The crux of the case is coverage of the 911 call Zimmerman had made while he followed Martin on the night of the shooting.

In the recording heard by NBC viewers, Zimmerman seemed to say without prompting: "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black."

But the full transcript went:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around, looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black.

NBC "pounced on the Zimmerman/Martin matter because [the network] knew this tragedy could be, with proper sensationalisation and manipulation, a racial powderkeg that would result in months, if not years, of topics for their failing news programs, particularly the plummeting ratings for their ailing Today Show," the suit alleges.

When the allegation of tape-editing was first made, NBC launched an investigation into the tape, which first aired on the network's Today show. Two network employees were fired, and NBC acknowledged an error.

Zimmerman is seeking an undisclosed amount of money. Also named in the suit are three reporters who covered the story for NBC.

On Thursday afternoon, NBC Universal said in a statement: "We strongly disagree with the accusations made in the complaint. There was no intent to portray Mr. Zimmerman unfairly. We intend to vigorously defend our position in court."

Earlier this week, Zimmerman's lawyers said prosecutors were deliberately dragging their feet, delaying — and even hiding — evidence that suggests their client is innocent.

They said it took months and the judge's intervention for lawyers to get a vivid color copy of Zimmerman's bloody injuries.